Interactive Ballet Dictionary from American Ballet Theatre

Ballet Resource Guide – Pittsburg Ballet Theatre

Art of Pantomime

The Art of Pantomime & Vocabulary Pantomime is the art of telling a story through gesture and facial expression. In ballet, the art of pantomime is used so that the audience can better understand the story and what the characters are feeling. Below are some common pantomime gestures and meanings used in ballet.

Anger Shake – fist strongly

Ask Clasp – hands together in pleading gesture

Beautiful – hand circles face starting at left temple

Come Here – point strongly to floor with index finger

Cry – fingers trace tears down cheek or wipe away tears

Dancing – roll hands from front of body to overhead

Death – arms straight in front, crossed at wrists with hands in fists

I/me/mine – hand points to center of chest to indicate oneself

Listen – hand cups ear with head slightly inclined

Love – hands over heart

Marriage – index finger points to ring finger of left hand

Money – rub thumb and fingers of one hand together over palm of other hand